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BORN
1956
DIED
2022
Richard Mascolo Obituary
Richard was a man of many talents and strengths: professor, psychologist, educator, mentor, and most importantly the best brother, uncle, brother-in-law and friend. Anyone who met Richard, Dick, Dickie was inspired and entertained. His wit and intelligence, empathy, and love for his family and friends was exceptional.
Richard leaves behind his mother, Ann Fay, his sisters Mary Mascolo and Linda Callender, brother-in-law John Callender, his niece Julia Callender and her husband Robert Thomas, nephew William Callender (William the Conqueror! Dick would call him), and great nephew Rowan Thomas. He also leaves his best friend and cousin Daniel Crane and his wife Patricia Crane, and cousins Catherine, Ann, and Joe.
Richard was born in Encino, CA in 1956. He attended Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach, received his BS at UCSD and his PhD from University of New Mexico. He was a practicing psychologist in the Los Angeles area, a full-time professor of psychology at El Camino College, part-time professor at Pepperdine in its graduate program, and provided evaluations for the state of California for worker's compensation cases. Richard loved teaching. He mentored many students, shepherding them through their own education. He loved discussing a myriad of topics with his family and friends, always interested in learning about new fields and subjects. Everyone who knew Dick agrees that he was the life of any get-together. He was funny, caring, and generous.
Richard deeply loved his niece and nephew, Julia and William, who saw Richard as a sort of a third parent. He was very active in their lives, always ready to help out or listen if they needed him.
Richard was an avid skier, volleyball player and all-around beach goer. He would spend many happy hours at the beach in Carpinteria with his sister Linda and his Carpinteria friends. Dick loved the ocean. When not at the beach, he enjoyed swimming in Mary's pool or sitting with her by her fireplace.
A memorial service for Richard will be held at a later date at the beach in Carpinteria. For details on the memorial email [email protected].
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Mascolo
Cindy Skale
April 4, 2024
Richard was a friend and colleague for many years. With his wisdom and encouragement I was able to build a career in mental health and find immense satisfaction in that change. He was warm, smart, funny, and one of the most non-judgmental and empathic people I have ever met. He created a safe space for people to truly express themselves. And he was very very wise about all manner of things. I still think of him very often. My condolences to his family whom he spoke about with great warmth. He has gone way too soon.
Lisa Waldman
January 22, 2024
I´m so shocked and deeply saddened to discover that Richard passed away. He was a good friend for many years. We´d meet up for coffee to talk stock market investing, sharing news and tips back in the 90s. Although we lost touch, I was just about to email him to say "Richard, can you believe the Dow is hitting 38,000?! " We´d also talk psychology, philosophy, relationships, movies & just life! We´d always have fun and occasionally invited other friends to our little investing meetings. Richard was a great, insightful, smart, funny and supportive person! I´m sure he was an amazing professor to his students. He will be missed. Wishing his family members-mom, sisters nieces and nephews etc. heartfelt sympathy.
Warmly,
Lisa
Lisa Waldman, LCSW, MPH
Lisa Waldman, LCSW, MPH
Rachel Michelson
December 12, 2023
I think of Dr. Mascolo at least once a week. He was a huge inspiration to me and I regret not calling him every chance I got to pick his brain and bask in his humor. You are so missed.
Nancy Wolff
November 16, 2022
Professor Mascolo, I'm so sorry to learn of his passing. He taught me statistics and research methods back in 1989 and we kept in touch for years even though I moved away. Richard was a wonderful teacher but more so was a great human, more capable than most of being present and supportive, and so funny and thought provoking. I became a therapist and have always felt like Richard saw something in me and encouraged me since way back when I had no idea what I was doing. He naturally and genuinely was curious and listened to me. I always appreciated his perspective on life. My condolences to his family.
Rachel Michelson
October 30, 2022
I am sitting at my desk bawling right now. I am so sorry and sad. Dr. Mascolo was a fantastic professor. I remember thinking I was getting a low C or D in his class, and it turns out that I had 108%, and he made so much fun of me. I enjoyed him as a professor and an entertaining and intelligent human. XOXOX RIP
Nancy Melucci
July 2, 2022
I was shocked and saddened. My heart goes out to the family. I will always be grateful for the help I received from Richard when I was just starting out in my career, and that I had a chance to know him.
Terri Cassick
June 14, 2022
My condolences for your loss. He was my professor at El Camino for all my psychology classes. He was very funny and fun to be around.
Lori Bonnet
June 5, 2022
Please accept my condolences to the family and friends... Richard was one of my favorite teachers in psychology. He will truly be missed. RIP
Vita Droutman
April 21, 2022
I wanted to express the deep sadness I feel over Dr. Mascolo's passing and my heartfelt condolences to his family. Professor Mascolo was a major influence and support for me at a critical time when I was changing careers and I am eternally grateful. He is one of a few people I credit for the leap I made from taking classes at El Camino to joining the psychology faculty at USC. I think of him often when I interact with my students as I want to make the same impact in their lives as he did in mine.
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